The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-07-20


ing my arms behind me, and
hobbling my feet beneath Kings
leys lean mule, which they
forced me to bestride, three of the
party took their departure, carrying
with them one of the canteens of
liquor, my guard claiming the other as
his share. He mounted my horse, and
making me ride slowly before him,
directed my way. through bride path
in and amongst the heavy, thick tim
Der. Why he did not kill me at once
do not know, except that he may have
desired to prolong my torture or to
really keep faith with his fellows. We
rode in silence for an hour or more.
At last we came to small clearing, a
"nigger patch" in the center of which
was a tumble-down hut. Here Kings
ley stopped, dismounted. united my
feet, motioned me to enter the cabin,
and followed me.
The only occupant of the place was
little, thin, half-starved yellow woman.
She seemed scared to DEATH when
we invaded her poor place, but, on de-
mand. furnished us drink of water,
and Kingsley pone of corn bread.
She offered me one, but he struck it
from her hand, saying:
"Let the cursed Yankee starve!"
This gave her clew to the whole
situation, and l could see that she
sympathized with me, but was power
less to give me aid. Several times she
made excuses and tried to go out, but
was ordered, with many oaths, to re-
main where she was.
Twill not attempt to describe my
feelings; they can easily be imagined.
The thoughts of such an ignoble end
ing to an extended and somewhat
creditable military career was what
troubled me most. But l knew that
nothing short of miracle could save
me.
Kingsley had been frequent in his at
tentions to the canteen of whisky dur
ing our ride, and now he had it at his
mouth every few minutes. With every
drink his rage increased, and he poured
upon my head all the vile curses and
foul names he could think of or invent.
He kicked and cuffed me, struck me al
most stunning blows on the head with
the butt of his revolver, and took devil
ish pleasure in picturing the torments
to which would be subjected.
From the way he tilted the canteen
I Gould see that it would soon be empty,
and fully expected that my life would
end with the liquor.
He was mad with rage and drunken
ness.
He drained the last drop and threw
the vessel from him; than he sat for
time in moody silence, casting chances
of hate at me and playing with his
revolver.
A. last, with terrible oath that he
would Finish me now," he rose aud
placed the pistol within three inches
of my forehead. s#E
He meant to kill me. l could see it
in his eyes, He delayed moment in
pulling the trigger. The little black
woman sprang for him and grasped
his arm.
mot here! not hercr' she cried, pit
eously.
The man turned upon her. 1 was
so tied, arms and feet, l could neither
aid nor escape. That woman chung to
him; he could not shake her of, nor
could his blows hurt her much at such
close quarters.
Two shots he fired without effect,
while the woman struggled and
writhed, and wound herself about him.
To more easily grasp her he must
have loosened his hold on the pistol;
at all events, it flew from his hand and
fell behind an old box that was stand
ing in corner. His hands both free,
he seized the poor creature by the
throat, choked her almost into in
sensibility, then lifted and slammed"
her in a helpless mass on the dirty
floor
There was no hope for me now.
Painting with his exertions he made
his way to the box, and, his head
turned to watch me, CROPPED with his
hand for the pistol.
Muttering hot curses he fumbled
around for a moment or two, then
gave start, a, quick glance at the
dark cavity and uttered fearful yell,
Strengthened up, and l saw the most
frightful, terror-stricken face my eyes
ever looked upon.
In second, a long, thin, black body
glided across the floor and out of the
door. 1t was huge rattlesnake and
its fangs had closed we'll and deadly
in the hand of my would-be assassin.
The courage and bravado was all
gone from him. He called upon the
woman, on me, on Heaven to aid him.
The woman was still senseless. was
bound so I could not move, and for a
long time l was forced to witness the
most terrible sight of my life.
At last the black mistress of the
place recovered. In dazed way she
saw that our enemy was Frustrated.
She cut the ropes that bound lis, and
both of us did what we could to aid |
the unhappy wretch. The liquor he
had drank made the poison more slow
in its effect, but it was not able to save
him. We had no remedies, and the |
woman could tell me of no place near